So much to write about so little time to write about it

LINDELL KAY Daily News Staff

Sunday

Apr 21, 2013 at 12:01 AMApr 21, 2013 at 3:09 PM

From Brad Paisley’s “Accidental Racist” to the Boston bombings to an arrest in Jacksonville’s bingo hall homicide to the sheriff switching political parties to the blockbuster debut of SyFy’s “Defiance,” a lot happened last week.

From Brad Paisley’s “Accidental Racist” to the Boston bombings to an arrest in Jacksonville’s bingo hall homicide to the sheriff switching political parties to the blockbuster debut of SyFy’s “Defiance,” a lot happened last week.

So much so that I couldn’t choose one single topic to write about. I hope you enjoy — or at least tolerate — the shotgun blast of a column that follows.

Accidental Racist

The song is terrible music. From a political point of view a song about racial perception involving the Confederate flag and gold chains it’s just what we need as a society.

Paisley is actually one of my favorite country music performers. If you can get past his gaudy 10-gallon hat, his songs are witty and progressive. Previous songs like “Welcome to the Future” demonstrate his eagerness to address in a meaningful way the differences and similarities that define us. Unfortunately, “Racist” just sounds labored. He and LL Cool J get an A-plus for trying and an F for the result.

Boston

To paraphrase comedian Patton Oswalt: Those responsible for the Boston Marathon bombings are not even a fraction of one percent of the human race. You want to see humanity? Watch the video of people rushing toward the explosions’ aftermath to help.

There will always be acts of terrorism from a limited few following whatever political cause they do, but there will also be a vastly greater number of decent people who refuse to bow down. As free as America is it’s amazing we haven’t suffered more attacks. But when they occur like on Sept. 11, 2001, there will be people who respond not with fear but with help.

Bingo Hall homicide

In the days following the Bingo Hall homicide, Daily News columnist Mike McHugh and I spent time at the crime scene and in the neighborhood of the victim. Parked at a house not far from where the victim lived, Mike thought he spotted a car that looked like the one described by authorities. Police arrived before we could even turn around. Being equipped with early knowledge of who detectives were looking at for the crime allowed Mike and I to follow the investigation in an unique way. I can say that the Jacksonville police and other agencies involved were meticulous in building their case. The suspect won the luck of the draw when he was appointed one of the best defense lawyers in the area, but detectives have presented prosecutors with solid case.

No real surprise

I found out like everybody else by reading an ad in Sunday’s newspaper that Ed Brown was switching political parties. The change makes perfect sense for the sheriff who has always been far to the right of just about everyone I know. After a lifetime as a Southern Democrat, Brown announced he registered last week as a Republican. A holdout for jumping to the GOP, it’s actually a long time coming for Brown. With his announcement, I could hear the death knell for conservative Democrats in the South who have migrated off the endangered list toward extinction. At least thousands of Republicans won’t have to worry about not punching straight tickets anymore.

Defiance

I don’t watch much television. I avoid any contest reality shows and most run-of-the-mill police procedurals like the plague. As most of you know, I’m a science fiction geek. That leaves me limited when it comes to remote control choices.

But thanks to a new show on SyFy, I’m happy.

The two-hour premiere of “Defiance” was SyFy’s most watched show since 2006 — and for good reason. The show mixes several genres into a satisfying sci-fi blend. The hero is a little Han Solo, a little Man With No Name. The premise is like if Mad Max rode into Dodge City and stopped for a drink at the Mos Eisley Cantina.

In the near future immigrants from another star system have crash-landed on earth leaving humans and several species of aliens to coexist in a post-apocalyptic landscape. On the edge of this New Frontier is the town of Defiance, built on the ruins of St. Louis with the promise of inclusion for all.

I enjoy it so much thanks to the accompanying online role-playing game. Something like that had never been done before and it’s fun to watch the game and show meld together. But you don’t need to play the game to enjoy the show.

James Bond title

I haven’t wrapped my 007 movie treatment yet, as several reader emails have informed me. I plan to get that done soon. I could use your help with something on that front. James Bond films always have the coolest titles. I haven’t been able to come up with one that satisfies. I feel like it should use the word “orphans” or “crown” or both. Drop me a line with your suggestions and when I finally do complete my plot, I’ll credit the reader with the best title in that column.

Contact Daily News Senior Reporter Lindell Kay at 910-219-8455 or lindell.kay@jdnews.com. Follow him on Twitter and friend him on Facebook @ 1lindell.

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